Picking quality food

[Steph927]

I was just wondering after reading the post about how much you guys spend on your bunnies. What do you look for in good quality pellets? I have 4 bunnies and I use to be able to get 25lb bags of Oxbow bunny pellets. Now I can only find 5lbs bags and its getting expensive that way. I was at Peavy Mart and they have big bags of pellets but Im not sure what I should be lookin at. Whats good ingredients, whats bad, what percentage of protiens and such am I looking for?

[Azerane]

Most importantly, the first ingredient needs to be a grass hay. So timothy, orchard, oaten, bermuda etc. After that, as few grains and things as possible, nice and high in fibre (over 20%) and low in calcium.

Check out this page for some great guidelines: http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-food-comparison.asp

[Paige]

Hi!
Corn and maize should be avoided
Also if you can get something pea, wheat and soy free would be nice but pellets without those things are a little pricey
Protein is 12-14%, long haired buns can have a little higher protein(personally I don’t give my fuzzy lop more than 14%)
Fat can range from 1-3%. I wouldn’t go over 3%
Hay based, if the main ingredient is alfalfa(sherwood) make sure Timothy is the next ingredient, I know that Sherwood uses alfalfa for protein
Calcium max is 1%
Fiber minimum is 18%, fiber should be around 20-25% ideally
Additives are usually not necessary, aka salt and cane molasses
Salt should be.5-1%
I don’t know much about phosphorus but maybe stay around.3%
Vitamin A 10, 000
Vitamin E 50
Vitamin D 1000
Hope this helps! Good luck

[Steph927]

Thanks! That was very helpful! The pellets Im looking at are right on with protien content and all that but doesnt list ingredients. Says to contact manufacturer. So I may do that just to check.

[Author]

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